PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samir Mourani (ranked 3952 p4p, 403 weight class) and Lars Kraulthammer (ranked 5223 p4p, 471 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mourani
vs
Kraulthammer

180 cm
20
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
20
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samir Mourani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lars Kraulthammer!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mourani scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mourani works over Kraulthammer's head and body with a nice combination.
Mourani lands a jab to Kraulthammer's midsection.

Kraulthammer fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mourani to the ground. Kraulthammer is now in Mourani's guard.
Mourani on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mourani tries to get out of the position.
Mourani utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kraulthammer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mourani's head.
Mourani utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kraulthammer looking to sit in guard and control but Mourani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kraulthammer looking for a sweep. Not yet Kraulthammer, not yet.
Kraulthammer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kraulthammer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mourani trying to control the position from guard on top but Kraulthammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mourani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mourani wants to pass the guard but Kraulthammer is keeping the position.
Mourani has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kraulthammer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mourani preventing the sweep.
Kraulthammer controlling Mourani's posture.
Mourani loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mourani working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mourani is working Kraulthammer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mourani trying to control but Kraulthammer is working from the bottom.
Mourani throwing strikes but missing.
Kraulthammer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kraulthammer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mourani sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kraulthammer has his takedown stuffed
and Mourani counters with a straight right hand.
No joy there for Mourani, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kraulthammer shoots in but no luck this time.
Samir Mourani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lars Kraulthammer.
Kraulthammer shoots in but Mourani avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mourani seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mourani throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mourani moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kraulthammer takes one on the button.

Mourani drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mourani landing with the ground and pound.
Mourani is stalling in the full guard.
Kraulthammer wants to hit a switch here but Mourani passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kraulthammer there!
Mourani has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kraulthammer's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mourani lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kraulthammer is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mourani lands a couple of good shots and Kraulthammer has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Mourani loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Kraulthammer hold on?
Kraulthammer turns into Mourani and is now in his guard.
Mourani pulls Kraulthammer in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mourani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kraulthammer.
Kraulthammer throwing strikes but missing.
Mourani is looking to stand up but Kraulthammer isn't so interested in that idea.
Kraulthammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samir Mourani dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kraulthammer takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kraulthammer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mourani fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Kraulthammer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mourani sprawls well initially but Kraulthammer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mourani blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kraulthammer.
Kraulthammer prevents Mourani from standing back up.
Mourani wants to control but Kraulthammer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mourani is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kraulthammer can do to turn this around?
Mourani is looking for a sweep. Kraulthammer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mourani trying to control from the bottom.
Kraulthammer seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mourani does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mourani is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mourani has hold of Kraulthammer's hands but Kraulthammer slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kraulthammer wants to take a breather but Mourani is having none of it.
Mourani wants to get back to full guard.
Kraulthammer working Mourani over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraulthammer takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Mourani is controlling Kraulthammer's trapped leg to prevent Kraulthammer from advancing to side control.
Kraulthammer thows a huge punch but Mourani dodges it nicely.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kraulthammer working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Mourani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kraulthammer.
Kraulthammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kraulthammer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mourani's head.
Kraulthammer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mourani defending well though.
Mourani preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kraulthammer looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Mourani is pressing down on Kraulthammer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mourani seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraulthammer trying to control but Mourani is working from the bottom.
Kraulthammer postures up.
Kraulthammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Mourani has wrist control.
Kraulthammer connects with a couple of short punches.
Kraulthammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mourani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kraulthammer throws an elbow that misses. Mourani uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kraulthammer's guard. Nice move by Mourani!

Mourani scoring with some ground and pound.
Mourani stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kraulthammer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kraulthammer has momentary wrist control but Mourani slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mourani scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kraulthammer keeping moving, preventing Mourani from controlling successfully.
Kraulthammer controls Mourani momentarily but Mourani frees himself.
Mourani wants to control from the top but Kraulthammer keeps moving.
Mourani is looking to work some ground and pound but Kraulthammer has wrist control.
Kraulthammer is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mourani trying to control but Kraulthammer is working from the bottom.
Mourani stands up over Kraulthammer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kraulthammer has Mourani pulled in close to control his posture.
Mourani working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kraulthammer's head.
Kraulthammer is looking to sweep but instead, Mourani has passed into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mourani not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kraulthammer is trying to escape back to his feet but Mourani uses the scramble to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samir Mourani dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mourani misses with a few strikes there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kraulthammer or perhaps it was just good defense by Mourani, which made it look bad.
Mourani lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mourani throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kraulthammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mourani as he avoids it easily.
Kraulthammer shoots in looking for a takedown but Mourani manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kraulthammer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Samir Mourani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lars Kraulthammer.
Mourani fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mourani lands a two punch combo.
Mourani lands with a nice combination. Kraulthammer backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mourani lands a really nice looking cross but Kraulthammer seems unphased.
Mourani lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kraulthammer drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Kraulthammer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kraulthammer lands in his opponent's guard.
Mourani controls Kraulthammer momentarily but Kraulthammer frees himself.
Kraulthammer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mourani looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kraulthammer is one step ahead there.
Mourani bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kraulthammer's guard.

Mourani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kraulthammer trying to keep a closed guard but Mourani is proving a slippery customer.
Mourani is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Kraulthammer has his foot on Mourani's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mourani works his way back into a safe position though.
Mourani is working Kraulthammer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mourani landing some decent shots from guard.

Kraulthammer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mourani gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mourani with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mourani seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kraulthammer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraulthammer keeping moving, preventing Mourani from controlling successfully.
Mourani won't allow Kraulthammer to sweep him here.
Mourani scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kraulthammer keeping moving, preventing Mourani from controlling successfully.
Kraulthammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Samir Mourani is winning the standup battle so far.
Kraulthammer on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mourani's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mourani duly obliges.
Mourani swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mourani lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kraulthammer circles away quickly and effectively.
We've been told by Mourani's head coaches at The Forge that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kraulthammer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mourani stuffs the takedown attempt from Kraulthammer. Kraulthammer gets slowly back to his feet.
Kraulthammer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mourani connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kraulthammer scrambles back to his feet.
Mourani fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kraulthammer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mourani misses with the combination.
Kraulthammer changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Kraulthammer 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mourani lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mourani throws a right and a left that Kraulthammer avoids nicely.
Kraulthammer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lars Kraulthammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samir Mourani is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kraulthammer shoots in but no luck this time.
Mourani throws a big counter combination but Kraulthammer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samir Mourani showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mourani has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samir Mourani!
Lars Kraulthammer was interviewed post fight and said 'Get that camera out of my face'.